Neutral venue the only option for Pakistan series: Aus coach

Australian team coach Tim Nielsen Monday said playing Pakistan at a neutral venue was the only way for the two sides to meet, with fears about security in the South Asian nation keeping cricket away.

The extent of those worries was underlined last week when Pakistan lost the right to host World Cup 2011 matches.

"Now we are playing on different grounds due to circumstances out of our control, but I think the people in Pakistan and Australia will see us play cricket together, which wouldn't have happened otherwise," said Nielsen.

"The real positive is that we got Pakistan back into international cricket and the other option... obviously nobody wants to go there because of the circumstances out of control, it's fantastic to be playing here," said Nielsen.

Pakistan were forced to move the upcoming one-day and a Twenty20 international series to Dubai and Abu Dhabi after Canberra refused to permit its team to tour the troubled country.

Worries about security were confirmed when the Sri Lankan team was attacked in Lahore in March, injuring seven players, killing eight policemen and ruling out any chance of Pakistan hosting international cricket in the near future.

Nielsen hoped fans in Pakistan will benefit from the series, even if it was played away from home.

"It's fantastic to actually play against Pakistan players who are world class performers and, if nothing else, they take some TV pictures back to Pakistani young players and let them see their heroes play against us and I think it will help," said Nielsen.

Nielsen, who toured Pakistan as Australia 'A' team coach in 2005, said he felt for Pakistani fans.

"It's very difficult for them, unfortunate that we can't go and play in Pakistan. The tour we had in 2005 was a lot of fun, we saw Umar Gul (Pakistan paceman) come onto the scene and play for Pakistan."

Andrew Symonds is the only one among the 14-man squad to have played in Pakistan, with the Australian team in 1998.

However, among the current squad, James Hopes (twice), David Hussey, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Nathan Bracken toured Pakistan with Australia 'A' teams in 2005 and 2007.